NEW YORK — Johan Santana is a contract extension and physical from joining the New York Mets.
Beating out the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, the Mets reached a tentative agreement Tuesday to acquire the two-time Cy Young Award winner, two people familiar with the deal said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.
Minnesota would receive speedy outfielder Carlos Gomez, and pitchers Philip Humber, Deolis Guerra and Kevin Mulvey.
“If it’s true, obviously, you’re getting arguably the best pitcher in the game,” Mets third baseman David Wright said.
Santana can become a free agent after this year’s World Series, and Minnesota offered him an $80 million, four-year extension he turned down early in the offseason.
Twins general manager Bill Smith called teams last weekend and asked them to make their best offers.
Smith informed the Mets on Tuesday that he was accepting their proposal.
Minnesota will receive New York’s Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 7 prospects, according to Baseball America’s ranking. The Mets did not include their top farmhand, outfielder Fernando Martinez, or their top young pitcher, Mike Pelfrey.
The next step is for the Mets to negotiate a contract extension with Santana. The three-time all-star is owed $13.25 million this year and likely will seek an extension of five to seven years worth at least $20 million annually.
New York and Santana have until 3 p.m. MST Friday to reach an agreement, a baseball official said on condition of anonymity. If the Mets and Santana strike a deal, the players would have to pass physicals and the pitcher would have to formally waive his no-trade clause.
Santana, a left-hander, is 93-44 with a 3.22 ERA in eight major-league seasons.
